Carpet stretcher



Aug 16, 1966 s, w, FRANCIS 3,266,772

CARPET STRETCHER Filed March 15, 1965 INVENTOR. STANLEY W FRANCIS FMJM, my

United States Patent 3,266,772 QIARPET STRETCHER Stanley W. Francis, 5241 University Ave., San Diego, (Jalif. Filed Mar. 15, 1965, Ser. No. 439,964 1 Claim. (Cl. 254-63) My invention relates to improvements in carpet stretchers and in particular the extension and contraction portions thereof.

An important object of my invention is to provide a carpet stretcher which combines the best features of conventional stretchers with my improved extension and contraction assembly.

A further object of my invention is to provide such an assembly which is simple to operate and which does not require the usual labor and time consuming steps in its operation.

A still further object is to provide such a device which is inexpensive to manufacture and maintain.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an extension means which is quickly and accurately adjustable to any desired length.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a carpet stretcher embodying my invention.

FIGURE 2 is a detail showing the operation of the brace arm portion thereof.

In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, I have utilized a conventional carpet gripping means 11 in the head portion of my device. This means is preferably a plate provided with prongs or teeth which embed into the carpet being stretched. I also employ the traditional block 2 for abutting the usual baseboard I of the wall. I have modified the block to provide therein a pin 14 mounted through the center thereof. I prefer to have center two ends and side portion of the block cut away as illustrated. This permits later described members to operate therein.

Also, I employ the usual leverage means It with handle. As is customary this leverage means is associated with plate 11 as is illustrated.

My novel contribution to the art lies chiefly between the leverage means and the baseboard block. The space between the leverage means and block constantly changes. The carpet layer stretches and secures only portions of the carpet in a piecemeal manner. Thus it is necessary to traverse these Varying distances with means which are adjustable and will also not contract when the leverage is applied. I have accomplished the desired object by use of a plurality of bars which are arranged in a crisscross fashion. Each of several bar sections 4 are pivot ally connected to two like sections by pins 3 at the ends thereof. Two sections are crossed and connected by pins at the mid-lengths thereof forming the basic mechanical movement known as lazy tongs. I suggest the use of nine double sections each three feet long in each device.

Patented August 16, 1966 ice The sections can be added or removed and can vary in length, as the space to be traversed may vary on different jobs.

Securing means 5 is operatively associated with the lazy tongs to prevent their collapse as tension is applied to the carpet. Such securing means may take various forms which will be obvious to those skilled in the art. I prefer a brace arm provided with a plurality of notches 6 along the length thereof. One end thereof is pivotally secured by pin 9 to adapter portion 8 of the connecting leverage system. This assembly is the usual tube which telescopes over a fixed tube connected to head 11.

The two bar sections farthest from the block are joined by a raised pin 7 at their mid-lengths. Pin 7 engages with any one of said notches 6 thusly locking the lazy tongs at any one of various lengths.

The operation of the stretching is as follows:

Block 2 is manually placed to abut baseboard 1. The operator then engages the prongs of plate 11 into the carpet at any desired position on floor 13 in respect to wall 12. Arm 5 is thereafter manually moved at substantially right angles to Wall 1 whereby a notch 6 will engage with pin 7 as shown in FIGURE 2. The handle of leverage means 10 is forced down and the carpet is thereby placed under the desired tension. Thereafter for a change of position the carpet layer raises the handle of assembly 10, swings arm 5 in the direction of the arrow in FIGURE 2 and repeats the aforesaid process.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention, herewith shown and described, is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of my invention, or the scope of the subjoined claim.

What is claimed is:

In a carpet stretching device,

(a) a block for abutment against a baseboard, and

(b) a plurality of bar sections each pivotally connected to two other sections by pins at the ends thereof with crossed sections secured by pins at the mid-lengths thereof, and,

(c) a plate means for gripping the carpet, and,

(d) leverage means operatively connected between the plate and the joined extremities of the two bar sections farthest from the block, and

(e) a brace arm provided with notches pivotally mounted at one end of the pin joining said two bars as aforesaid whereby said notches engage a pin retaining the two bar sections at their mid-lengths.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 245,800 8/1881 Dunham et a1. 564,317 7/ 1896 Summerfeld 254-63 611,344 9/1898 Wagner 254-61 1,380,405 7/ 1921 Mulvane 254122 1,971,218 8/1934 Hoobler 254-62 3,207,474 9/ 1965 Silva 254-57 WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner.

MILTON S. MEHR, Examiner. 

